And Right Rev. Father in God, JOHN, LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, AND DEAN OF WESTMINSTER. MY LORD, 1 Might well fear left these my rude and unpolished lines fhould offend your bonourable furvey, but that I hope your Nobleness will rather smile at the faults committed by a child than cenfure them. Howfoever, I defire your Lordfhip's pardon for presenting things fo unworthy to your view, and to accept the good-will of him who in all duty is bound to be Thisbe; nay, I would do it myself, but that I hope a pardon may easily be gotten forthe errors of ten years of age. My Conftantia and Philetus confesses me twoyears older when I wrote it. The reft were made since upon feveral occafions, and, perhaps, do not belie the time of their birth. Such as they are, they were created by me, but their fate lies in your hands; it is only you can effect that neither the bookfeller repent himself of his charge in printing them, nor 1 of my labour in compofing them. Farewell. ABRAHAM COWLEY. TO THE READER. I. I Call'd the bufkin'd Mufe, Melpomene, Tho' wont in mournful ditties to delight. If thou diflike thefe forrowful lines, then know II. And as fhe my unabler quill did guide, Her briny tears did on the paper fall, But think her tears defac'd it, and blame then 5 ΤΟ 12 ABRAHAM COWLEY. MR. COWLEY. WITH artless hand, and much disorder'd mind, To try if worthy thee I ought can find, To thee and to himself, and may that tomb But monuments may betray their trust, And like their founders crumble into duft. Were I to advise posterity That fhould at all times acceptable be, Quickly to comprehend their great concern, [learn. Cowley fhould be the first word all their fons should That charming name would every grace infpire, 21 Inflame their fouls with fupernatural fire, And make them nothing but what's truly good ad- 25 Of these (bless'd Shade!) when thou wert here An unregarded fojourner, Bloffoms and fruit at once on one immortal tree. In whom (as in old Eden) still were seen 40 All things florid, fresh, and green, Herculean vigour hadft thou when but young, 45 In riper years more than Alcides strong. For he that worthily would mention thee No meaner off'tings fhould he bring, Than what a faint might pen, an angel fing; Tho' thou haft fung of heroes and of kings, 50 |